The Rays kick off the month of June with a plus .500 record and — thanks to the Athletics (who beat the Yankees) — tied for first in the AL East. (Photo credit: the Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays made the 2,639 mile trek to Anaheim, CA after taking two-of-three from the Baltimore Orioles. Tampa Bay finds itself tied for first once more* after the team won a 9-5 slugfest with the O’s, thanks in part to right-fielder Steven Souza Jr., who hit three home runs in as many days. Souza has a team-leading 10 homers and was 5-12 with five RBI over the weekend.

For their part, the the Angels Angels moved to a season-high three games over .500 with Albert Pujols serving as the team’s primary DH. Pujols, who homered in three of his last four games, strained his groin during a ballgame Friday game and may not return to his normal position in this series.

The Rays are 16-8 at Angel Stadium since the start of the 2010 season, although they posted a lackluster 2-5 record last season with former skipper Joe Maddon at the helm. Nevertheless, Tampa Bay has outscored Anaheim 177-154 — a run differential of 23 — since 2010. It should be noted, thanks to a connection with the Angels organization, the Rays under Maddon used to be treated like royalty in Anaheim. Without that connection…egad, it might feel like an average, everyday ballgame.

*Typing those words just feels right.

Rays and Angels series starters over the last 14 days.

Rays and Angels offensive production over the last 14 days.

Rays by the numbers.

Garrett Richards: Richards yielded five runs (three earned) over 6-2/3 innings in a 5-4 loss to San Diego. The 27 year-old has allowed more than three earned runs just once in eight starts. Richards, who is 2-1 with a 2.30 ERA in four home starts, owns a 1-1 mark and 5.40 ERA in two career outings against Tampa Bay. Key to Richards’ overall success is his ability to miss barrels. That ability is predicated on two things: he throws really hard, and being able to command the strike-zone. Consider this, the batter’s ability to pull Richards’ pitches dropped from 50% in 2011 to 37% last season (47% in 2013). Key matchup: David DeJesus (2-5, 2B, RBI, 2 BB).

CJ Wilson: Per Rotowire, Wilson gave up one run and two hits in six innings Thursday against the Tigers. He struck out seven and walked five. Wilson once dominated Tampa Bay, yet over the southpaw has fallen off over last three seasons, posting a 1-3 record with a 5.35 ERA in six starts. In all fairness to the Straight Edge Racer, no one in the lineup has owned Wilson, nor do the Rays have a favorable slash line against (.194 BA/.288 OBP/.271 SLG/.559 OPS). Key matchups: Jake Elmore (1-2, BB), Brandon Guyer (3-10, 2 RBI, BB), Kevin Kiermaier (1-3).

Hector Santiago: Per Rotowire, Santiago (4-3) delivered 7.1 shutout innings in Friday’s win over the Tigers, striking out seven while allowing just three hits and three walks. Santiago boasts a unique eight pitch arsenal — a rarity in today’s game: a four seam fastball, two seam fastball, cutter, sinker, curve ball, slider, split finger and screwball. According to Fangraphs pitch value system, his most effective pitch has been his four-seam fastball, which averaged about 92 mph last season (maxing out at 97.4). Santiago’s other pitches were ranked slightly below average, with his slider and changeup being fairly ineffective. It should be noted, the 27 year-old lefty has a unique screwball that’s garnered a lot of attention:

Noteworthiness

— Tampa Bay placed INF Tim Beckham on the 15-day disabled list with a right hamstring strain. The Rays corresponded by recalling Andrew Bellatti to take the open roster spot. Bellatti made 2 scoreless appearances in his first stint with the team, May 9-16. As for Beckham, he becomes the 15th different Rays to go on DL this season — the 17th move to DL overall.

— Alex Colome (3-1, 4.55 ERA) recovered from a 38-pitch first inning last Tuesday and received a no-decision after holding Seattle to two runs over 5-1/3 innings. The righty has allowed two earned runs or fewer in nine of his 12 career starts. Colome also owns a 22-to-5 K/BB ratio over 29-2/3 innings this season.

— Rays manager Kevin Cash said LHP Matt Moore’s bullpen session (on Sunday) went fine. Moore is scheduled to make his official rehab start on Wednesday for the Class-A Stone Crabs, starting his 30-day clock to return.

— Per Marc Topkin, OF Desmond Jennings (left knee) took some swings in an extended spring game on Monday but manager Kevin Cash said it only went “okay,” that he “still felt something.” Cash said there alsso was progress with DH/OF John Jaso (bruised left wrist), who started swinging a bat.

Evan Longoria is greeted in the dugout after scoring on a hit by David DeJesus in the sixth inning on Sunday. Both Longoria and James Loney drove in the runs. (Photo credit: AP Photo/Jim Mone)

The Tampa Bay Rays avoided a three-game sweep at the hands of the Twins on Sunday, demolishing Minnesota to the tune of an 11-3 score. The team collected a season high 19 hits although, interestingly enough, only four went for extra-bases — all doubles. Nary a home run was hit, and the meat of the production came on 14 singles and three walks.

It was particularly nice to see Evan Longoria and James Loney drive in six total runs (three apiece) on six combined base-hits. Neither attempted to over swing or do too much, rather they were given scoring opportunities and did what was expected of them. See ball, hit ball as it were. Consider Sunday’s game the yin to last Monday’s yang. After all, the Rays did to the Twins what the Yankees did to Tampa Bay almost a week ago — put up 11 runs.

The team now owns a 21-18 record with a run differential of 17, seated just one game out of first place in the AL East. Juxtapose that with the 2014 Rays, who posted a 16-23 record after 39 games, along with a gaudy -17 run differential. All this in spite of the fact they’re missing starters Alex Cobb, Drew Smyly and Matt Moore (who is expected back before July), DH John Jaso and outfielder Desmond Jennings.

…The reasons they have been able to overcome is longer, from the rotation-leading efforts by Archer and Jake Odorizzi, a dominating bullpen, usually tidy defense, and contributions from some unexpected places such as Logan Forsythe sharing the team lead in RBIs, David DeJesus their top hitter, Steve Geltz a key part of the pen.

Next stop Atlanta, where the Rays are set to start a two-game, intraleague series against the Braves on Tuesday. They’ll follow with a four-game set against the West Coast Rays…urm, Oakland A’s on Thursday. Since Tampa Bay won’t be playing the Yankees or Red Sox, I fully anticipate crowds greater than 14,000.

I digress.

As of now, the Rays have anywhere from a 21.3% – 48.7% chance of a postseason berth (per FanGraphs and Baseball Prospectus, respectively). While one fourth of the way through a marathon-like season does not a playoff contender make, the prospect of being a contender past September is much better than chronically scratching at the eight-ball. …And it didn’t even take some trite motivational stunt to get them there — no offense, Joe.

— The newly reactivated Jake McGee breezed through his seventh inning appearance on Sunday, ringing up a pair of batters and coaxing a foul-out. Among his efficient 14 pitches (nine for strikes), McGee mixed in two curveballs. The lefty told the media it was comforting to know he hit 97 mph several times:

It was good to get out there and feel good and throws strikes and get ahead of guys.

— Matt Moore’s return is imminent! Moore will throw a simulated game in Port Charlotte on Monday, which should be his last batting practice outing before an extended spring game then a rehab assignment.

— According to Beyond the Boxscore, the Rays rank third in baseball by FIP-. Additionally Jake Odorizzi is the fifth best pitcher in baseball by, you guessed it, FIP-.

Drew Smyly winds up in the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in New York, Wednesday, April 29, 2015. (Photo credit: AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

The Tampa Bay Rays capped off a successful month of April with a 3-2 victory against the New York Yankees in 13 innings. At 12-10 on the season, first year manager Kevin Cash did something with the Rays that hadn’t been done since 2012 — put together a plus .500 record in the first month of play. Compare that with last season, under the watchful eye of Joe Maddon, when the team went 11-16 with a -12 run differential. Not bad skip, not bad at all.

The Rays will return to action Friday in the first of three road games against the Baltimore Orioles, at Tropicana Field. Listed below are a few updates to get you through:

— “Pitching, pitching, pitching,” – Rays manager, Kevin Cash on Wednesday’s marathon win against New York. Drew Smyly looked good in his second game since returning from the disabled list. Smyly scattered four hits (although two solo homers cost him the lead) while fanning 10 in six innings. Five relievers followed Smyly and combined for seven scoreless innings, allowing only five base runners.

Brandon Gomes had the stiffest challenge by far, having to deal with the speedy Jacoby Ellsbury on base in the 11th and Brett Gardner in the 12th. Ernesto Frieri did well in his second save opportunity, coaxing a game ending double play out of Alex Rodriguez to cap his first 0-for-6 day. Rays pitchers handed Rodriguez his first striukeout day since 2008.

Gomes was pumped up following the game, telling Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times),

That was fun. I like our bullpen against anybody’s bullpen.

— Loney, late, against lefties. The phrase coined by Dave and Andy (on the radio side) held true Wednesday, as James Loney drove home the go ahead run. The Rays first baseman grounded a ball to right side that rolled through the infield, subsequently plating Steven Souza Jr. from second. Shifted second baseman Stephen Drew made a sliding stop to field the ball, yet he couldn’t complete the play at either first or home.

Souza was running on contact and saw the ball get through the infield. Rays third-base coach Charlie Montoyo sent him home, scoring well ahead of Drew’s throw.

I was full steam ahead, Souza said. I knew it was either going to be a close play at first or a close play at home, so I went for it.

— Matt Andriese was optioned back to Triple-A Durham following the game, clearing a space for RHP Alex Colome who will be activated from the DL ahead of Friday’s game against Baltimore.

— “We’re just trying to bring some economic development to the region,” Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg quipped in an article in the Tampa Bay Times, regarding the unusual move to host Baltimore’s away series this weekend. While I laud the Rays for their graciousness in this awkward situation, I’ve got to say that if Sternberg really wanted to bring some economic development to the region, following in the footsteps of Lightning owner Jeff Vinik would be a good start.

— Desmond Jennings, who is dealing with a bout of bursitis in his left knee, will see a doctor Thursday in St. Petersburg. The Rays remain hopeful that he’ll play this weekend, however, having the games on turf at Tropicana Field, rather than natural grass in Baltimore, might be an issue.

— Grant Balfour was officially released from his contract, making him free to sign with any team for the league minimum. The Rays will pay the balance of his $7 million salary.

— Our upcoming watch party on May 16th is quickly approaching! Click the link, confirm your attendance, and share the event with everyone! Beer, yard games, food, and your favorite small market team… What more could you ask for?!

And while the Cubs insist that there was no tampering at play in their hiring of manager Joe Maddon, the Rays insist that they have evidence to the contrary. Maddon signed a five-year deal with the Cubs, just 10 days after opting out of his deal with Tampa Bay — though word that an agreement leaked just seven days after his opt-out.

New major league baseball commissioner Rob Manfred chimed in, saying the investigation is still “ongoing,” while an unnamed source indicated it should be completed before the start of the 2015 season.

According to Jesse Rogers (ESPN), Manfred was asked Thursday if the tampering accusation was over. Manfred responded,

Over would not be the appropriate word to describe. There is an ongoing investigation. To the extent it’s concluded, one way or another, we’ll be transparent about that. We’ll let you know.

Rogers also wrote that a rival executive said nothing will come of the charges, however Manfred warned not to jump to conclusions until the investigation is complete.

The interview committee spoke over the phone with Raul Ibanez, Brewers special assistant Craig Counsell, and Royals bench coach Don Wakamatsu (a former manager in Seattle) Friday afternoon, and continued the process Saturday by interviewing bench coach Dave Martinez, and former Nationals and Indians manager Manny Acta.

Though each candidate brings something to the table — Ibanez’s agent Seth Levinson went as far as to note Ibanez has a strong personality and leadership skills, and an overall reputation as a tremendous person — it’s become evident that longtime bench coach Dave Martinez may be the obvious choice to replace Joe Maddon as Rays manager.

In an interview with the MLB Network, Rays third baseman Evan Longoria said of Martinez that he is “kind of the obvious pick” based on the continuity he could provide but acknowledges “it’ll be interesting to see” who is hired. Longoria went on,

Seeing that there’s been so much change this offseason already, they might not want to bring in further change. (Martinez) would be the guy that could kind of smooth things over and has a feel for what goes on in the clubhouse and how things are.

Several other players have offered their support of Martinez. In an email to Marc Topkin, Ben Zobrist vouched for the bench coach, “I still like Dave Martinez at the top of the list. I think Dave is ready for the opportunity to see how he can do. He has always been 100 percent into the games mentally and I know he has the baseball acumen to manage in game situations.”

Alex Cobb added Martinez “would be a great manager. He has a great relationship with all the players. Can relate to us and knows how the culture has been here.”

While Martinez represents a comfortable, known quantity to the organization, the question begs: Will the front office be satisfied with the known, i.e. Martinez, or are Silverman and company looking for a top to bottom overhaul? The desire to retain the coaching staff could be an indication that they’ve found their man. I’m left to wonder about the possibilities of Martinez being hired as the manager, and Ibanez taking the soon to be vacated bench coach position.

Noteworthiness

The Rays added two final candidates to their initial list of managerial interviewees, Doug Glanville and Barry Larkin:

Ex-Rays RHP Josh Lueke and C Ali Solis, who were mainly at Triple-A Durham, have chosen to become free agents. That is, Lueke is no longer the Rays problem!

Jerry Sands and Vince Belnome were designated for assignment in order to create more room on the 40-man roster. Sands elected free agency rather than accepting his outright assignment to Triple-A by the Rays. Meanwhile, Belnome accepted his assignment to Triple-A Durham.